Armor

So I was looking at this one website and one of the links was spiritual warfare and I clicked it. It mentioned the Armor of God, and God began to show me how spiritual warfare attacks us, and why the Armor of God is used like it is. Maybe someone once has said it or put it this way or maybe not, but God started showing me exactly why for which piece and how it's practically applied. I tried to get thoughts into words here but I dont know if it worked or not.

Spiritual Armor - Eph 6.10-18
Belt of truth - it is the truth/belt that holds everything we have together and on. our everything is based on this truth of Jesus coming to earth, dying, and rising again for us.  Many times Satan tries to insert his lies as truth, and many times is successful. I think we believe a lot of lies that we aren't aware of. But taking lies as truth is like loosening the belt loop one notch. If the belt is too loose, the belt falls to our ankles, which slows us down or trips us up from going where we need to - in the same way, believing too many lies can slow us down and trip us up from going where we need to. 

Breastplate of righteousness - satan tries to attack our hearts by telling us - we're not good enough. we'll never be good enough. we don't deserve it. With heart breaks and low points in our lives we are slowed down or even stopped, but we guard that with righteousness. Satan attacks the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust, our pumper of life. Sometimes he tries to control our emotions, or make us feel like we don't want to do something, or don't feel like God loves me. But God has called us righteous, (morally upright, without guilt or sin). We wear a breastplate made out of some Romans 3.22 and some Romans 6.19. God see's us as worthy because we are wearing the royal breastplate that his son crafted. 

Feet fitted with gospel of peace - "If we are the body, why aren't his feet going?" - Casting Crowns. We should be taking the gospel out to everyone. Jesus said "Go," not "they'll come to you." We are to take Jesus to the world, not wait for the world to come looking for Him. We have the way for people to be connected with or have peace with the man who knows all and see's all; the guy who thought of grass; the guy who paints an original sunset in the sky each night; the guy who wants was best for us, and has it if we'd wait, listen, and accept it. We are to take the good news out, not to shove it in their faces, (which usually leads to an argument and them going away from Jesus). It doesn't say go tell them they're going to Hell, but let them know of the peace with God through Christ. (Yes, we are all going to Hell prior, but Jesus didn't just die so we could have a "Get-out-of-Hell Free card.")

Shield of faith - many attacks that come against us, many we can just block and blow off before they can get closer by holding onto what we believe. (v - with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of evil one). I think of like attacks by other religions and "science experts"with an agenda who try to shoot at us but we can defend them. We can also deflect insults, setbacks, selfishness, expectations, and temptations. I think if we, if I, would hold onto the promise set and fully understand and embrace what I believe, I could see and block the arrows sent.

Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) - we have nothing to attack with by ourselves. We can't physically throw a Bible at them. Were not fighting against "flesh and blood" but powers of the dark world and spiritual forces. Attack with spiritual tools. Do not swing wildly with a sword, but with your prayers and study of God's story, do not mumble or ramble your petitions to God, but harness and control your prayer like a sword. Use every moment and every word for a precise reason. I think of people who often try to use the Bible to prove their point, when they're point maybe true but isn't what needs to be used for. Like in a sword match, sometimes you can make a good move with a sword by swinging towards their legs and it will make them jump, when you could have thrust it into the stomach of the problem and defeated it. Sometimes we argue over Praise and Worship songs/Hymns/language used/baptism or arguments with other religions about this or that when instead we forget to approach it not by what's good or better, but what is best.  Many moves in a jousting match are good or better, but use your weapons for the best move possible, to hit the heart of the problem.

Helmet of Salvation - mind games. Satan's always trying to get into our heads making us think we're not saved or maybe we didn't do it right or this or that. Maybe doubting God? Sometimes he makes us think we're too good and we're better than that. Prideful. Other times not worthy. I think a healthy view of salvation will bring everything into perspective. It humbles us at the foot of the cross, but lifts us up to the right seat of God. When we think of what Jesus did and why, we look very insignificant. All the mind games and thoughts were stuck in can be solved or put into perspective by looking back at the cross and what happened there.

Other thoughts:
-Isn't it wierd we spent alot of money in an attempt to share the best news ever with someone? In reality, the news is good enough, we should have people trying to outbid each other so that they could hear the news next or get their questions answered. Instead we put a lot of effort, money, and time into outreach ideas. It's like we have to spend $500 dollars so that we have an opportunity for someone to come so that they can receive $8.5 million.

-Isn't it wierd that to go share Jesus with the world, we have to ask for money so that we can survive, while people who are helping murders and child molesters get out of jail are being paid thousands and thousands of dollars?